Long-term effects of catheter ablation for lone atrial fibrillation: Progressive atrial electroanatomic substrate remodeling despite successful ablation

Abstract

Background: Whether curative ablation can prevent progression of the atrial electroanatomic remodeling associated with atrial fibrillation (AF) is not known. Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine whether successful radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of AF can prevent progression of the atrial substrate associated with AF. Methods: Detailed right atrial electroanatomic maps from 11 patients without apparent structural heart disease undergoing RFA of AF at baseline and ≥6 months following successful RFA were compared to 11 control patients undergoing electrophysiologic evaluation of supraventricular tachycardia. Bipolar voltage, conduction, effective refractory periods (ERPs), and s..